Top 10 Vacuum Workholding Tips

Bad gasketing is the #1 reason for vacuum workholding failures. In this video we cover the top 10 do's and don'ts plus a bonus tip at the end.
Gasket overview video: • Vacuum Gasket Overview
1. Square cuts 0:18
2. Don't stretch it 0:30
3. Always use it 0:51
4. Add radii 1:15
5. Maximize surface area 1:31
6. No glue 1:48
7. Don't t-splicing 2:15
8. No o-rings 2:35
9. Group holes together 2:52
10. Gasket isn't traction 3:14
Bonus - Sandpaper method 3:33 (Full video: • Increase your FEED RAT... )
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[@PiersonWorkholding]

✅ NEW VIDEO ❕ NEVER DO THIS with a pallet fixture❕ 👉 th-cam.com/video/aospka2Da0Q/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/4oFe7XyzrL0/w-d-xo.html

[@bcbloc02]

Great tip on the sandpaper, wasn't familiar with that one.

[@steves.3485]

I’ve found that adding “knurling” to a top plate will also add a substantial amount of lateral holding force without the need to add a piece of sandpaper that could cause flatness issues and could come loose.
Just make sure the knurling depth is low enough that there is still a decent amount of flat area for the part to rest on. It also provides the same benefit of the slots you have to ensure the vacuum force is uniform under the part.

[@advancedretention9859]

Interesting idea with the sandpaper, and awesome video thanks!

[@SvenMengerink]

thank you for that wet sand paper tip. it really saved my day.

[@OakwoodMachineWorks]

Love that sandpaper tip!
Great video, as always.

[@bradjunes1610]

pretty cool advisee sir as a very old time machinist with small part in demand, I look forward to the 400 grit paper holding trick---much thanks and I'll check out your other videos.. Thanks from Oregon.

[@CaskStrength777]

I agree with everything I just saw- I figured this out independently when I ran a vac table Haas VF5 for 3 years. I've never done the sandpaper trick though- that looks like it would work well 👍

[@dominic6634]

I'm always surprised with how many shops not knowing about vacuum fixtures it blows my mind.

[@steinbierz]

Great video! I was wondering if the 400 grit sandpaper tip would apply to those using vacuum fixtures/pods on woodworking CNC routers?

[@PiersonWorkholding]

It should but you'd want to use a heavier grit like under 100.

[@steinbierz]

@@PiersonWorkholding Thanks...worth a try one of these days.

[@jonathankowalczyk5435]

Really nice production quality! And great advice!!

[@Skraap]

Sweet video! Excellent cinematography and editing, the sound could use a little help though.

[@activegrip]

@Pierson Workholding great video and thanks for the tips. Couple of questions though, tip 4 you say put a radius on your corners, however on your plenum the 'risers' seem to be square? Tip 5 says maximise your vacuum area, is there a reason you don't put a sort of + groove(that I see on some other designs) on the top of the 'risers' so the vacuum get under there? thanks again

[@dharmaviji9271]

Very useful Thanks you for your all information👍

[@johnholmes4960]

What is the best durometer for gasket material. What about using silicone chording? I had better luck not using a gasket. Haas VF-3 SS

[@weldmachine]

Very Good Tips.
Thank you for sharing.
Peter.

[@MrIonutz2008]

how much should be the gasket higher than the plate to allow for a good seal but as well to allow the working piece especially the thin one to lay uniformily on the entire vacuum plate ? Thank you.

[@PiersonWorkholding]

For all sizes of gasket, the groove width should be 95% of the gasket diameter. The groove depth should be 75-80% of the gasket diameter. This means our 1/8" gasket should have a width of .118" and a depth of .094"-.100". If the workpiece is extremely thin, I suggest an even deeper groove so the gasket is compressed less.

[@jackflash6377]

Good info and right on time. We're about to start making some Acrylic parts that will use the vacuum pallet. Thank you

[@JayRussellDuramax]

Just out of curiosity, do you all sell O-rings made from your gasket material? That would be really helpful for those who would like to put O-rings around individual bolt holes.

[@fijianatheart]

Could I run parts that drill/tap through? Would the drill poking through to the vacuum chuck damage it? I run a lot of plastic parts, should I worry about scratches to my parts?

[@PiersonWorkholding]

You'd have to use one of our Top Plates to create areas that break through. Here's a link to several videos that discuss everything about top plates: piersonworkholding.com/media/#tab_smartvac

[@calvinkorver2767]

2:15 for tip #7 how are you supposed to connect them?

[@PiersonWorkholding]

Butt them together as seen at 0:19.

[@NTGInnovations]

Great! Where can I get the slot width in metric dimensions?

[@PiersonWorkholding]

Multiply by 25.4 to get dimensions in millimeters.

[@sandortundik1245]

Excellent tips, however I could not help myself not reading 4ss as "ASS". :D

[@JetNmyFuture]

This is how all 'user manuals' should be done.